Bath-tub rail.



B. F. BROWN.

B'ATH TUB RAIL.

APPLlCATlON HLED JULY 6.1915.

1. ,26 1,75, Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

Fig.1. 4 \L Z9 Inventor Benjamin F Brown,

BENJAMIN F. BROWN, OF FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS.

BATHQTUB RAIL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

Application filed J uly 6, 1915. Serial No. 38,069.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fitchburg, county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have inventedan Improvement in Bath-Tub Rails, of which thefol lowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to'a novel construction of bath tub rail. This rail is adapted to be positioned on portions'of the tub rim and functions toprovide a means which may be grasped when entering, moving around within, or getting out of the tub. 'The dangers attendant upon the insecure footing afforded to a person by the present highly glazed tub surfaces is well-known. Even the rims of the tubs themselves moistened with soap and water offer an ineffectual grasping means. This novel structure comprises halid rails adapted to be positioned upon the tub rims and to offer a roughened or knurled surface which may be securely grasped. And, in order that a handle or roughened surface may be presented to one standing in the tub, provision is made for a vertical rail adapted to afford a suitable grip to one when in substantially upright position as for example when indulging in a shower bath. I I

The object of this invention is to provide a hand rail adapted to be positioned on the side of'a bath tub.

Another object is to provide such rails with adjustable means whereby they may be easily positioned upon tubs of varying shapes and sizes.

A further object is to provide means for securing a hand rail to a tub rim positioned adjacent a wall or where the novel rim gripping hooks cannot be employed.

Another object is to provide an upright hand rail on a bath tub. I

Other objects of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the annexed claims. 1

Figure 1 is a plan view of the tub showing the hand rails as applied to the rim;

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2,

Fig 1, with the cross rail sleeve shown in sectlon;

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 33, Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the hooking members;

Fig. 6 is a detail of an adjustable clamp;

Fig. 7 is a detail of a wall bracket.

These rails are adapted to be adjustably affixed to the rims of bath tubs. In the selected embodiment shown the device consists of the long, rail 1, the short rail 2 and the cross rails 3. The long rail and the short rail are preferably placed on the rear and front longitudinal sides respectively, of the tub. The short rail 2 is preferably positioned on the front side of the tub adjacent the water supply end thereof ,so that the cross rails, which are carried by the short and long rails, are somewhat near this end of the tub. It is to be understood, of course, that the short and long rails may each be placed on either side of the tub, but the short rail is preferably placed upon the side customarily used for entrance and exit. To secure the rails to the tub rims the hooks 4 are employed, a detailed section of one being shown in Fig. 5. Each consists of a member '5, sufiiciently arched to accommodate tub rims of varying sizes and degrees of curvature. The arched member has at its lower end. an upwardly presented lip 6 and at its upper end a depending lip 7. The enlarged portion 8 of the member 5 carries a sleeve 9 receiving in threaded engagement therethrough the binding screw 10. These hooks are positioned at desired points on the tub rim and the rails are inserted in the sleeves and there immovably retained by means of the binding screws 10. When this type of grip is employed it not only is the function of the cross rails to afford a suitable grasping media to the person using the tub, but they have added function of being the means of retaining the hooks on the tub rim.

One of the cross rails has secured to its end, preferably integral therewith, a sleeve through which one of the longitudinal rails is adapted to be received. As shown in this selected embodiment, the cross rail leading to the long rail is provided with such sleeve 11. The cross rail may be held against movement thereon by means of the set screw 12. The other cross rail end is provided with a hooked member 13 which is adapted de- -mountably to engage the short rail. The ininwardly pulled by such stress more firmly engage theedge of the rim and the hooks thus are the more securely seated upon the tub sides. Upon the reverse rotation of the turnbuckle sleeve and the attendant pushing apart of the cross rails, the demounting of the books is easily efi'ected. In the embodiment shown, one end of the long rail 1 is more remote than the other from the point of application of the pulling force of the cross rail and the-effective retaining stress on a hook there positioned might be depreciated. Hence, it is preferable to employ agripping means having the nature of an adjustable clamping member. A detail view of such a clamping member is shown in Fig. 6. It comprises a relatively'fixed member 16 and the movable arm 17 The member 16 is substantially arched in shape and has an inner depending lip 19 and an outer upwardly projecting lip 20. mounted between integral ears 21 of the fixed member and is provided with a shoulder 22. The knurled-headed set screw 23, received in threaded engagement in a longitudinal rib 24 integral with the fixed member 16, is adapted adjustably to impinge upon the shoulder 22.

The clamping member bears a sleeve 25. This sleeve has a swiveled mounting upon the fixed member 16 in order to allow for necessary angular adjustment when the clamps are positioned upon portions of the tub rim not in the same straight line, for example, when one of these clamping members is placed upon the rim as it' curves to form the front or rear of the tub.

This clamping member is adapted to be positioned on the tub rim so that the edge of the rim is engaged by the projecting lip 20 while the depending lip 19 bears upon the rim usually at that portion thereof which downwardly curves to form the tub inside. The arm 17 under the force of the set screw 23 tensionally impinges against the outside face of the tub, and, in conjunction with the other two bearing portions, effects the rigid retention of this adjustable clamping mem-.

The arm 17 is pivotally only one of the longitudinal rails, the cross rail sleeve receives the longitudinal rail while the hooked member 13 thereof may rest upon the rim side. The lmurled surface 26 f of the turnbuckle sleeve afiords a good friction gripwhich extends transversely the tub.

Provision is made to afford a suitable graspmg means or hand rail, to one who is I positioned substantially upright in a tub, as

when taking a. shower bath. For this purpose, a hand rail 27, suitably knurled or roughened, is adapted to be mounted upon the long rail 1 and to assume thereon a substantially upright position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The lower end of this rail bears a sleeve and set'screw similar to the sleeve 11 of the cross rail. The upper end of this rail is adapted to be retained by a wall bracket 29. The wall fastening means used, in this selected embodiment, consists of a bracket 29 suitably afiixed to a wall so that its rail-engaging means may project within the path of the upturned rail. Such means consists, as shown, of a fixed member 30 to which is pivotally secured the strap 31 hav- 10 0 ing a binding screw 32 adapted to be received in threaded engagement with the fixed member. To receive the upturned rail, the screw 32 is disengaged from the fixed member, and the strap 31 is turned about its pivot sufliciently to accommodate the rail. The rail is then positioned, the stra swung about the rail and screwed to the fixed member.

A modification of the rail fastening means is shown which is adapted for use when the rim of the ordinary tub is positioned so closely to an adjacent wall that it is im practicable to position on the rim the grips or clamping members to which reference has been made. 1 Or, it may be successfuly employed with tubs of the general type illustrated in Fig. 4 in which the tub rim extends either to the floor or a substantial portion of the way thereto or is of such configuration that the above-mentioned hooking grips or clamping members may not be used. In this form, therail-receiving sleeve 33 is provided with a stem 34 which is threaded to receive in engagement therewith the nuts 35 and 36. The plate 37 suitably apertured therefor, is positioned upon the stem 34 between the nuts. The rim of the tub 38 has an aperture 39 adapted to receive the nut 36. .A slot 40 leads from this aperture a short distance on the tub rim, as is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The lower nut 36 is placed in threaded engagement on the stem and is inserted in the aperture, the stem being slipped along the slot 40. The upper nut 35 is then turned down upon the rim-impinging plate 37. This functions to hold the stem securely and retentively in position'uponthe rim top while the plate is similarly held and operates to cover the aperture and to prevent-the access of water thereto. The desired rail may then be slipped through the sleeve 33 and thus retentively and permanently be afiixed to the tub rim.

It is obvious that one may dispense with the upright rail 27 and its function be achieved by the cross rails. The cross rail sleeve 11, mounted on one of the longitudinal rails, presents a pivoted support to the cross rails so that they may be turned to assume a substantially upright position. Retained in such position-by means of a similar wall bracket suitably placed, they achieve the function of the upright rail 27.

It is to be understood that the construction disclosed herein is illustrativebut not restrictive and that'the same may be modified within the meaning and scope of the claims which follow.

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure b Letters Patent is:

1., The combination of a bath tub with a longitudinal rail, means for securing the rail to thetub, a rail connected to said tub and means for retaining said last-mentioned rail in substantially upright position.

2. The combination of a bath tub, with a longitudinal hand rail, means for positioning the rail on the tub, a cross hand rail, adapted to cooperate with said rail positioning means to secure the longitudinal rail to the tub, a. rail connected to the longitudinal rail, and means for retaining'the last-men tioned rail in substantially upright position 3. The combination of a bath tub, ahand rail adapted to extend transversely. said tub, a second hand rail adapted to project above the tub, means for connecting said rails to said tub and means for retaining the lastmentioned rail in substantially upright position with relation to the tub.

4. The combination of a bath tub, longitudinal rails and means for positioning the rails on the tub, a cross rail engaging said longitudinal rails and adapted cooperatively to secure the longitudinal rails to the tub, a rail mounted on one of said longitudinal rails and adapted to be retained in substantially upright position.

5. The combination of a bath tub, longitudinal rails, hooks adapted to engage the rim of the tub, means on said hooks adapted to retain the rails, means adapted to engage each of said side rails, said cross rail memher being extensi-onable and contractible whereby upon its extension or contraction said side rails may be drawn together and said side rail hooks be firmly retained on the tub rim.

7. The combination of a. bath tub, side rails, rail-engaging hooks adapted to be' positioned on the tub rim, 'a cross-rail member engaging each of said side rails, said cross rail member being longitudinally contractible whereby said side rails may be drawn together and said side rail hooks be firmly retained on the tub rim.

8. The combination of a bath tub, side rails, rail-carrying hooks adapted to engage the tub rim, a cross rail member engaging each of said side rails and comprising a pair of rail sections having oppositely threaded ends, a sleeve adapted to have threaded engagement with said sections whereby upon rotation of the sleeve said side rails may be drawn together and said side rail hooks be firmly retained on the tub rim.'.

9. The combination of a bath tub, a rear rail extending substantially the tub length and a relatively short front rail, hooking means on opposite sides of said tub adapted respectively to engage the end portions of the front rail and the adjacent end portion of the rear rail, a cross rail carried by said front and rear rails whereby the hooking means are firmly retained on the tub rim, a rail-engaging member adapted to be secured to said tub and means on said member adapted to engage the other end portion of "said rear rail.

10. The combination of a bath tub, side rails, hooking means adapted to engage the tub rim, each of said hooking means comprising an arched member havin a hook adapted to engage the rim edge an a sleeve portion adapted to receive a rail portion, and means adapted to engage the rails whereby the hooking means and rails are retained on said tub.

11. ,The combination of a bath tub, side rails, hooking means adapted to be positioned upon the tub rim, each of said means comprising an element having a hook adapted to engage the rim edge and means adapted to engage a rail portion, a rail member extending transversely the tub and engaging each of the side rails and means on said rail member operable to pull inwardly said side rails whereby said grips are detachably and securely retained on said tub.

12. The combination of a bath tub, a hand rail adapted to be mounted on said tub, a bracket adapted to be secured to an adjacent Wall and to engage and retain in substantially upright position said rail.

13. The combination of a bath tub, a hand rail adapted to be mounted onsaid tub, a bracket adapted to be secured to an adjacent wall, a rail receiving member carried by said bracket and a strap pivotally secured to said member, a binding screw adapted to engage said strap and said member whereby said ra-il may be retentively held in upright position with relation to the tub.

1 4. The combination of a bath tub, longi- 15 tudinal rails and means for positioning the rails on the tub, a cross rail engaging said longitudinal rails and adapted cooperatively to secure the longitudinal rails to the tub.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my, 20 name to this specificationQ BENJAMIN F. BROWN. 

